Study Reveals Food Insecurity Drives Poaching in Tanzania’s National Parks

A new study by Penn State researchers shows that lack of food, not money, is the primary driver of poaching and other illegal activities in Tanzania’s Mkomazi National Park. The research, led by doctoral student Gasto Lyakurwa, surveyed 267 household heads in villages bordering the park to understand the factors leading to illegal park use.

Summary: Penn State researchers find that food insecurity, rather than financial motives, is the main cause of poaching in Tanzania’s Mkomazi National Park, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions that balance conservation with local community needs.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The study, published in the journal Conservation, sheds light on the complex relationship between human livelihoods and wildlife conservation in East Africa. Researchers examined how food security, financial security, and educational security influence the likelihood of local residents engaging in illegal activities within the park.

Mkomazi National Park, established in 1951, covers over 1,250 square miles of protected habitat for endangered wildlife, including elephants, lions, buffalo, and rhinoceroses. However, its creation displaced large numbers of people, creating tension between conservation efforts and local communities’ needs.

Food Security: The Primary Driver of Illegal Activities

The research findings challenge common assumptions about poaching motivations. Edwin Sabuhoro, assistant professor of recreation, park, and tourism management at Penn State, explains the situation:

“For countless generations, the people in this area relied on that land for meat, traditional medicines, firewood, fish and timber. These resources were essential to the people’s livelihood, but suddenly, they were cut off from the land. Even though local people told us they feel connected to the wild animals, they also made it clear that they are not likely to respect park boundaries if they cannot feed themselves or their children.”

Key findings from the study include:

1. 253 out of 267 surveyed families earned their livelihood through agriculture.
2. The average annual household income was $1,115 USD.
3. 74% of household heads had only primary school education.
4. Food security was the primary driver of illegal activity in the park.
5. Education and financial security had minimal influence on poaching when accounting for food security.

Balancing Conservation and Community Needs

The research highlights the need for a more holistic approach to conservation that addresses the basic needs of local communities. Lyakurwa emphasizes this point:

“Communities are expected to support conservation, but they are facing deprivation. Animals — especially elephants and lions — come out of the parks and trample crops and injure or kill people. Also, the people feel they need park lands to graze their own animals. It is easy to understand why they are not more supportive of park boundaries when their lives are at stake.”

The study suggests that to successfully protect wildlife and their habitat, parks need to prioritize food security for nearby residents. This approach could lead to more sustainable conservation efforts and improved relationships between parks and local communities.

Towards Collaborative Solutions

In response to these challenges, Sabuhoro is helping lead the Human Wildlife Co-existence Research Network. This initiative brings together various stakeholders across East Africa to develop solutions that support both conservation efforts and local community needs.

“Traditionally, local people have been expected to comply with rules but have not been invited to participate in the planning or benefits associated with the parks,” Sabuhoro explains. “Through the Human Wildlife Co-existence Research Network, we are trying to change that.”

The network’s approach includes:

1. Organizing meetings in different East African countries to address specific regional needs.
2. Involving local researchers like Lyakurwa, who bring cultural knowledge and language skills to build trust with communities.
3. Emphasizing the importance of bringing research findings back to local communities.

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Solutions for Conservation and Development

The study’s findings underscore the need for conservation strategies that address food insecurity while protecting wildlife. By focusing on sustainable alternatives to meet essential needs in communities adjacent to national parks, conservation and development organizations can work towards a more balanced future for both protected areas and people.

As Sabuhoro concludes, “By training local people in research methods and helping to develop and support meaningful research projects, we can help support management of parks in ways that are sustainable for humans and animals alike.”

Quiz

1. What did the study identify as the primary driver of illegal activities in Mkomazi National Park?
2. How many households were surveyed in the study?
3. What is the name of the initiative led by Edwin Sabuhoro to address human-wildlife conflicts in East Africa?

Answer Key:

1. Food insecurity
2. 267 households
3. The Human Wildlife Co-existence Research Network

Further Reading

Glossary of Terms

1. Poaching: Illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals.
2. Food Security: Consistent access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
3. Livelihood: A means of securing the necessities of life.
4. Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
5. Conservation: The protection, preservation, and careful management of natural resources and the environment.
6. Subsistence: The action or fact of maintaining or supporting oneself at a minimum level.

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